92 year old judge to hear Kidnapped Venezuelan President Maduro's and his Wife case. Why age is just a number for US bench
Judge Hellerstein is no stranger to history heavy courtrooms. Over nearly three decades on the federal bench, he has presided over cases tied to the September 11 attacks, Sudanese genocide claims and matters involving U.S President Donald Trump.
Now, he is overseeing one of the most consequential prosecutions of a foreign leader in many decades.
Hellerstein has also handled cases linked directly to Maduro’s alleged inner circle. In April 2024, he sentenced retired Venezuelan Army General Cliver Alcal to more than 21 years in prison on drug trafficking charges.
A judge in his 90s is steering such high stakes cases as is unusual in many countries. In the United States, it is not.
Under Article III of the US Constitution, federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are granted lifetime appointments.
In a most controversial noteworthy 2015 ruling, Hellerstein ordered the US government to release a trove of photos depicting abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes and most often age is just a number when you see or read such cases.